In an effort to get a younger crowd at the library, host a drag show with a professional drag queen! Annie Manildoo will both lip sync and sing live while showcasing fabulous costumes, wigs and make-up!

When Julia’s family immigrates to the northwestern United States from Sweden, she experiences the diversity of America through interactions with her African, Asian, and Native American neighbors as she becomes a nurse at the height of WWI.

A wonderful HANDS ON program. Children are introduced to the world of juggling in this interactive workshop. The basic techniques of juggling are explained and demonstrated in a clear step by step format. WOW, in just under one hour the children are on their way to a brand new hobby.

As the seagoing Captain HurriCain, Ron Cain promotes reading while celebrating the state's beaches and bodies of water. While telling tales and showing tricks from his travels, Captain HurriCain demonstrates a wacky way with water. Illusions include a container that causes water to disappear and reappear, faucets that defy the laws of nature, and an umbrella that does card tricks. Young audiences also meet Barnacle the Shark and learn about the legend of Champ the sea serpent. Since 1998, Ron has created magic shows based on the annual summer reading program theme. Each program uses magic and humor to promote reading and help children feel good about themselves. A Syracuse University graduate and former teacher, Ron has more than 16 years of experience performing at schools, libraries, companies and festivals throughout New York. He also has appeared on television’s Pappyland and Saturday Showboat. His magic shows with educational messages include Tune In To Magical Idol, Uncle Sam's Old Time Magic Show, Magic of America, Wandering Wizard Show, Magical Museum Show, Tex the Cowboy Magician's Wild West Show, and the Case of the Missing Bunny.

North Shore Theatre Group presents Greg Oliver Bodine in POE, TIMES TWO -- a double bill of one-man, stage adaptations of 'The Cask of Amontillado' and 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). These two plays are staged back-to-back with minimal set and lighting effects, and are performed without an intermission in an hour. One actor. Two classic horror stories! Suitable for Ages 10 - Adult. A fun evening or afternoon of good old-fashioned thrills, chills and all things spooky -- a must-see for Poe enthusiasts and fans of mystery and horror. Perfect for the Halloween season! 'A scary, stunningly staged, high-fright homage to the creator of the horror story.' –-Ronald Gross, New York Theater Buying Guide. POE, TIMES TWO is being offered as part of NSTG's SOLO CLASSICS Performance Series. The program combines elements of classic literature, drama and storytelling in a solo, narrative performance format, which is designed to give audiences an exciting, live, theatrical experience that is at once immersive, enlightening and educational. Nominated for THREE 2012 New York Innovative Theatre Awards! NOT AVAILABLE in 2017.

Original music performance.
Lara Herscovitch is a modern American songwriter-poet-performer gem, creating masterful contemporary folk with blues, pop and jazz influences. Former Connecticut State Troubadour, she writes, sings and leads with authenticity, integrity, humor and heart, delivering performances that inspire, inform, uplift and entertain. Sound Waves Magazine described her music as “expertly written prose… songwriting at its best... good for your ears AND your soul.” All with a voice Performer Magazine called “clear and smooth like expensive liquor.” www.LaraHerscovitch.com

A Barrel of Fun comedy/variety shows may include music, magic, ventriloquism, juggling and lots of audience participation. We have performed over 10,000 shows at a wide variety of venues. We have performed programs in almost 300 libraries, including almost 150 libraries in NY State. We have well over 500 repeat library programs to our credit. Our programs are appropriate for preschool through elementary children and families.For the 2016 Get On Your Mark, Get Set, Read, Read summer reading theme, we are suggesting: Professor Klutzo's Healthy Habits (a comedy- variety show), and Catfish Charlie's The Great Outdoors (Comedy/Music).
Comedy shows available are:
Professor Klutzo (Comedy/Variety) Music, magic, ventriloquism and juggling.
Pete The Pirate (Comedy/Variety) Music, magic and ventriloquism.
Bongo Joe (World-wide percussion,stringed instruments and ventriloquism with soft puppet characters.)
Catfish Charlie (Comedy/Variety) Camp songs with audience participation, comedy and ventriloquism.
Rattlesnake Red (Cowboy character/musical variety) Comedy and ventriloquism.
Puppet Shows-See our listing under Puppet Shows.
See website for specific descriptions and photos. Many shows are theme-adaptable.

(Self-esteem show)
As a motivational program for children, this presentation is aimed at boosting the self-esteem of every student in the audience. Students are brought onstage to assist and help perform the magic themselves. Magic, comedy and puppetry are combined to convey the following points:
The uniqueness of each child.
It’s not what’s on the “outside” that matters, it’s what’s on the “inside” that counts.
Persistence: Never giving up no matter what!
Why a positive attitude is important.
Program includes a section on the topic of bulling.
By the end of this show, your students will feel better about themselves while believing, at the same time, that virtually anything is possible for their lives.

* Inclusion in this database does not indicate endorsement of any performer
or program by the NYS Education Department, the Office of Cultural Education, the NYS Library or the participating
library systems, nor does it eliminate the need for reference checks and appropriate standard screening procedures.